Dizzy Feet Foundation Scholarship Award

The Dizzy Feet Foundation provides scholarships to talented students studying at accredited dance schools, studios, universities, and institutions. Scholarships of up to $10,000.00 per student may be granted annually as determined by Dizzy Feet in its sole discretion. Dizzy Feet Scholarship Awards are determined by talent and financial need of the student. Nominating schools/institutions must be able to highlight financial need of the student. All funds paid directly to the institution where the recipient is enrolled.

Eligibility & Selection Criteria:

Nominated students must be at least 15 years old, an American citizen and studying at an accredited or nationally-recognized dance school or institution in the United States. Applicants will be judged based on talent, technical skill, dance expression and financial need of the student.

Scholarships are awarded in Dizzy Feet’s sole discretion and Dizzy Feet reserves the right not to award any scholarships in any given year.

Dizzy Feet will NOT consider any submissions received outside the open application period or submissions from individuals seeking funding support.

Gene Kelly Legacy Scholarship

Named for legendary dancer, director, and choreographer Gene Kelly and established in recognition of the 100th anniversary of his birth, “The Gene Kelly Legacy Scholarship” is given annually by the Dizzy Feet Foundation in cooperation with The Gene Kelly Legacy, Inc., the corporation established to preserve and perpetuate Kelly’s Legacy. The Award will be presented to a male or female dance student who is studying dance as a career and is both classically trained and proficient in at least one additional style of dance. Recipients must demonstrate an interest in and an aptitude for choreography and interdisciplinary dance expression and must embody not only the physical, athletic style represented by Gene Kelly but also demonstrate potential for the joy, creativity, and innovation for which he is celebrated.

Scholarships of up to $10,000 per student may be granted annually as determined by DFF in its sole discretion. DFF Scholarship Awards are talent-based and will be paid directly to the institution where the recipient is enrolled.

Eligibility & Selection Criteria*

Nominated students must be at least 18 years old, an American citizen and studying at an accredited or nationally-recognized dance school or institution in the United States. Nominating schools/institution must be able to highlight financial need of the student.

Strong history of classical dance training is required, plus substantial training in at least one additional style of dance. Applicants will be judged based on talent, technical skill, creativity, interdisciplinary dance expression, financial need of the nominee and potential as a choreographer.

Scholarships are awarded in Dizzy Feet’s sole discretion, and Dizzy Feet reserves the right not to award any scholarships in any given year.

*Please Note: any submissions received outside the open application period will be destroyed and will NOT be considered.

How to Submit Nominations

All Dizzy Feet Foundation Scholarships are awarded annually in the first quarter of the year. An invitation is sent directly to the Dizzy Feet database of accredited schools/institutions prior to the open nomination period. Information on the nomination period, process, and links to relevant online nomination forms are provided at that time for the sole use of the nominating teachers/faculty. Students must NOT submit themselves for consideration.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get to be a part of an accredited dance program?

Dizzy Feet is in the process of establishing relationships with organizations that offer or administer accreditation for dance programs in the USA across a broad range of dance styles. While DFF will not act as an accrediting body, we hope to provide a comprehensive list of those who do in the near future. Information on dance schools, studios, universities, or dance institutions can become accredited will be provided on this website in due course.

Can I apply for a scholarship? How do I know if I qualify?

No. Only invited institutions may nominate students to apply for scholarships.

My child is 9 years old and an aspiring dancer. Can I nominate her for a scholarship?

Unfortunately not. Students must be at least 15 years old and must be nominated by an accredited or nationally recognized dance school or institution in the United States where they currently study. Individuals can not nominate themselves or others for a scholarship with DFF.

I am a student who has been nominated by my dance school/institution. Can I complete the nomination form or submit the supporting materials myself?

No.

All nominations must be completed by a teacher or faculty member at the nominating dance school, studio, university, or dance institution. As all scholarships are paid directly to the institution where the recipient is enrolled, DFF works with them directly in order to maintain clear lines of communication and reporting.

Students are asked to provide any necessary supporting documents directly to their nominating teacher/professor who will submit their nomination via DFF’s online application.

Any materials received directly from a nominated student will not be put forward for consideration, and his or her nomination will be disqualified.

Dizzy Feet Foundation was founded in 2009 by producer Nigel Lythgoe and director Adam Shankman, among others to support, improve, and increase access to dance education in the United States.

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